Calamus pogonacanthus

Botanical Description

Calamus pogonacanthus is a spiny, evergreen, climbing palm producing a cluster of unbranched stems that can be 30 metres long[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ]. The stems are of good quality and are commonly harvested from the wild for local use and also for trade. The plant has the potential to be cultivated[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ]. Loss of habitat through logging and conversion of forest to agricultural products (Oil Palm, Rubber and Industrial Timber) represent the major threat to this species. Because it produces a good quality rattan cane, which is used locally, it may also be subject to harvesting pressures. However, the plant is widespread, though population figures are unknown. At present the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].